Frustration and Resentment

As I continue to receive resumes for review one thing remains clear, there is a great amount of frustration and resentment with the job marketplace. If one takes a long view during the mid-90's to 2001 if someone simply placed their name and email address somewhere on a resume they often might be called by a recruiter or human resource person. Then the first significant recession hit in 2001 where as one Hedge Fund heavyweight manager America experienced a series of rolling recessions through smaller bubble economies and regions. Often those displaced professionals found a temporary job or secondary occupation but few really examined their resumes or how they were being received and read.

Now today with possibly 7.5 Million jobs lost in just over a year and a half on top of the 3.75 Million already unemployed things have changed, no one seems to being called---or at least only a few and they are keeping that occasion secret! Currently it is estimated that almost 37Million Americans are in what is considered the underemployed, part-time employed or long-term employed who are not counted in the unemployed ranks. Thirty-Seven million workers all seeking a variety of employment.

A friend of mine who is over 50-years old told me today he applied for a food service management position and did not get a reply. I asked him how long ago was it when he worked in the food service industry and he replied, over twenty years ago. I then asked him why would they reply to his resume? He didn't have a good answer except hope.

This brings us back to your resume. Ask yourself, does your resume truly sit on top of the pile of 37 Million other Americans who are seeking employment? Is it structured in a way that is pleasing to read? Is the font and font size appropriate? Is there enough white space? Is the content and narrative compelling enough to tell your story that you are the right person to interview above all others? Does your resume describe you as a doer, achiever, innovator or implementer? Are you a leader or team-member? Are your accomplishments relative to today's marketplace challenges?

My guess is that the vast majority of the resumes being offered in response to the sparse job postings do not. That is why I am offering my services. Unfortunately in today's marketplace self-expression and an abbreviated, uneducated composition of a resume, even one of an exceptional professional is not competitive. Thus, feeding into the growing frustration and resentment many are feeling right now.

Yes, the job market is fundamentally changing as is the entire economy. What was valued five years ago might not be valued today. What was valued ten or twenty years probably is not valued today. Who hires receptionists anymore? How about elevator operators, gasoline attendants or carriage horseman? My guess is that soon even some self-service gas stations will not have attendants working even during day time hours.

Executives and professionals you are essentially paid to think and execute where your composite activity results in revenues generating profitable returns. Corporate America has pretty much done away with mid-level managers and support professionals who have been out-sourced to where now many of those tasks are automated.

Yet, the economy is moving in new directions. Contract law will be at a premium as our nation navigates through a maize of predatory finance agreements for secured and unsecured loans. The Carbon Cap & Trade Law that eventually will be implemented will eventually add a level to economic activity and valuations that will create new marketing and substantiations as to what is the composite carbon footprint of every product and transaction. The new energy economy will work at two ends, conservation and generation where decentralized energy production will finally proliferate like the telecom and distribution computer world. These new marketplaces will need a new workforce.

Will you be part of it or will you be seeking jobs like carriage horseman or stable masters at the turn of the century?